Follow the Nudge, Filter It with the Word

Uncharted The Book of Acts: The Voyage Begins Acts 1:4-26 Follow the nudge, filter it with the Word

It’s been a couple of weeks since we’ve looked the book of Acts.

Two weeks ago - we had our Vision Breakfast Last week Don Ross, the NWMN Team Leader with us … He challenged us to be “Local Missionaries.” Some of you might have been surprised by him calling people forward in response to the challenge Some of you loved the challenge and the response time It is always intriguing the way God gifts and wires different people and puts them in the places he puts them.

Let’s jump into our study of the Book of Acts Acts is partially a researched account of the early church The other part of Acts is a first-hand account of the events The book of Acts was written 2000 years ago, by Luke Luke was not a follower of Jesus until after Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.

Shortly after Luke became a follower of Jesus, he decided to research Jesus He did interviews, read accounts, listened to the accounts of those who had walked with Jesus. He then wrote an “orderly account of the life of Jesus.”

He followed-up his account of the life of Jesus – LUKE with his second volume An account of the early days of the church - ACTs

Today we’re going to talk about: Follow the nudge, check with the Word

Do you ever get “nudges?”

Prompt to: Talk to someone? Pray for someone? Visit someone? Give something to someone?

Most of us have. You may never have thought about it in those terms, but I bet you have.

 JF – Forgot his phone at home  B&R – just a couple of weeks ago

 Not always turned out the way I expected – B&A Smith  I’ve not always obeyed the nudge – Andy’s car/motel

Sometimes in secular circles, people use the word – Serendipity - something happens by chance, accident

Today we’re going to look at the disciples being “nudged” and following that nudge.

Pickup at Acts 1:4-12 Once when He was eating with them, He commanded them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be b aptized with the Holy Spirit."

In just a few days you will be baptized with the HS Baptized is the English transliteration of the Greek word - Dunk, immerse – dunking material into a vat of dye solution Watched a Ted Talk the other day – a guy was talking about wearing an $800 pair of jeans that had been hand dipped in a solution of indigo dye 24 times.

Jesus said, “In just a few days you will be dipped in the HS.”

So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking Him, "Lord, has the time come for You to free Israel and restore our kingdom?"

In our most recent episode of the series, we talked about the KoG

He replied, "The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to kn ow. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Jesus’ response to their question about the KoG less than helpful.

The Father knows … you don’t need to know … all that information is on a “Need to Know” basis.

Jesus reiterates that the HS was soon to visit them and that the HS would empower them. After the HS had empowered them, they had a mission to accomplish Witness about Jesus starting right in Jerusalem and then ultimately throughout the entire world.

After saying this, He was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see Him. As they strained to see Him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into hea ven, but someday He will return from heaven in the same way you saw Him go!"

As Jesus departs into the clouds the disciples just stand there – two angels appear “What are you doing?” “He told you to wait in Jerusalem” Get going! Go, go, go …

It’s like one of those times when you are at the Zoo as a family You tell the kids to meet you by the Penguins in 15 minutes 15 minutes – no kids 20 minutes – no kids 25 minutes – no kids You go looking for them … you go back to where you were at the Day Exhibit and they’re still looking at the snakes They see you … a little “Uh, oh” creeps in as they see you You say – What are you doing? You were supposed to meet us at the Penguins 15 minutes ago Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. (Acts 1:4-12 NL T)

They return to Jerusalem, to the room that where they ate the last supper together The eleven Apostles were part of the group Mary Jesus’ mother and several other women Jesus’ brothers – first appearance of them in the account of the church About 120 – probably Luke was told conflicting accounts of how many were together

They were constantly united in prayer.

For the next ten days, they stayed together waiting and praying and waiting for the visit of the HS They didn’t know what to expect They just continued to pray I imagine that they prayed following the example that Jesus set for them They prayed for each other They prayed for the people who had crucified Jesus and who still wanted to harm them They prayed for people to understand

During that time, Peter received what I’m going to refer to today as a “nudge.” Impression, direction, “a word”, a prompting

We don’t know if Jesus had talked to Peter or the group about replacing Judas Maybe they were “nudged” while they were praying

During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them. "Brothers," He said, "the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jes us. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David. Judas was one of us and sha red in the ministry with us." (Acts 1:15-17 NLT)

Peter continued, "This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, 'Let his home become desolate, wit h no one living in it.' It also says, 'Let someone else take his position.' (Acts 1:20 NLT)

Peter was a fisherman – he was not a scribe or Rabbi or expert in the OT Average everyday bloke Peter is made aware of these two obscure verses from the book of Psalms I wonder if in the group of 120 there was a scribe or a Rabbi, a Jewish elder, a leading priest, or a teacher of the law Maybe the Pharisee Nicodemus who had visited Jesus at night early in his ministry was with them.

I have wondered: Where did the scrolls they were using to find, these verses come from? Who was helping this group: There was a bunch of fishermen, a tax collector, and a political rebel Who is the expert in the Scriptures that is helping them understand the Scriptures?

Peter says: What happened to Judas was written about in the Psalms – the HS predicted it – David wrote about … Somehow the HS had made it clear to Peter and others that the events surrounding Judas’ betrayal of Jesus and his subsequent suicide were part of the script

Peter continues … "So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time w e were traveling with the Lord Jesus— from the time He was baptized by John until the day He was taken fr om us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus' resurrection." (Acts 1:21-22 NLT)

The group nominated a couple of men to replace Judas They chose men who had been with Jesus from the beginning – clear back at Jesus’ baptism – all the way until Jesus ascended to heaven.

Then they all prayed, "O Lord, You know every heart. Show us which of these men You have chosen as an ap ostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs." (Acts 1:24-25 NL T)

Peter and possibly others were “nudged” regarding replacing Judas “We need to replace Judas.”

They were “nudged” that they needed to choose someone who had been with Jesus from His baptism until His ascension

The picture that was drawn here and throughout the book of Acts is that the disciples A rag-tag group of 120 men/women and children were “making it up as they went along.”

I can imagine Peter saying: “I don’t know what we’re supposed to do … I’m waiting for Jesus to show me.” “I’m waiting for a nudge …”

As we go through the book of Acts – there will be lots of “nudges.” Almost every chapter included at least one nudge if not multiple “nudges.”

Nudges

I don’t know everything there is to know about nudges – I know what I know about them.

To hear or sense a nudge you must have a level of quietness in your life

Most of the time “nudges” happen when I’m quiet and not bogged down being busy

One of the problems with all the stimulation in our world all the static.

Static – Radio TV static, radio, iPhone, iPad, FB, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat, Pandora, Slacker, Google+, LinkedIn, Tumblr, SoundCloud, Dribble

Download an APP “Static” that monitors various feeds so that you do not miss any important static “Tired of hopping back and forth between social apps? Static is an easy to use, beautiful display monitoring the pulse of your favorite social media channels.” Someone described the TV being on this way: In many homes, a television playing in the background is the soundtrack for everyday life.

Can we admit that often, maybe even all of the time, it is hard to hear or sense a nudge because of unrestrained static in our lives?

To hear or sense a nudge you must have a level of quietness in your life Christian Justus, one of our missionaries, posted on FB the other day:

Why do we call it a "still small voice" and then expect to hear it from miles away? If you want to hear a whisper, you must draw close. Christian Justus

Let’s say you hear or sense a nudge The nudge must be “filtered.” HOW DO I KNOW WHEN A NUDGE IS A NUDGE?

A nudge will never be immoral, unethical, deceptive, manipulative A nudge will be in keeping with how Jesus lived

Discipleship is the process of “learning from Jesus how to lead my life as He would lead my life if He were I.” Dallas Willard

A nudge will not contradict the teaching of the Scriptures – “Nudged” to ream someone out A nudge will be in line with the teaching of the Scriptures – “Nudge” to tell the truth The nudge might not be in the Scriptures, but it will be in line with the Scriptures Example – SEND SOMEONE FLOWERS

 Some things that we sense as nudges come from our own minds. They are just our thoughts.  Some things that we sense as a nudge come from other people whispering in our ear or shouting!  Some things that we sense as nudges can derive from the kingdom of darkness

The real test – the only reliable filter is the Scriptures. Any and every nudge that does not make it through the filter of the Scriptures is not a nudge from God.

The trouble with nudges is that they are entirely “subjective.” Every cult leader became a cult leader by following a “nudge.” It just wasn’t a “nudge” from Jesus.

Since they are subjective – no one can disagree, argue, or contradict – because you were “nudged.” Even if the “nudge” was wrong – what can someone say to you? After all “God told you.”

Some followers of Jesus reject everything I’m teaching about “nudge” because “nudges” are subjective.

A “nudge” must line up with the Scriptures.  Nudges that people say they got are – goofy - Doves  Nudges that manipulate – TC @ Swaggart Bible College – If what you are saying is true – God will tell me. God has been blamed for the most outlandish things by people who have confused their own inverted pride with God’s will. Paul Little

People claim that God let them walk away from contracts, debts, live in immoral relationships, use people, abuse people, cheat, lie and steal.

What do the Scriptures teach? SB - Adultery situation – Matthew 18 – What was my defense to God?

Use key people in your life as part of your filter system Ask others whose lives you would copy/emulate – those who have been walking closely with Jesus longer When Barbara and I have had big decision to make, we’ve asked key people Elders, spiritual mentors, our parents

Historically the Quakers – had what is called ----- “Clearness Committee.” The “Clearness Committee” would ask the person with the “nudge” questions to help them clarify what they thought God was saying.

“The Holy Spirit isn’t confused, and so if we have a lack of clarity, we need to wait.”

Nudges are going to encourage Nudges are going to strengthen Nudges are going to build others up Nudges are going to comfort Nudges are going to serve

Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of fai th. (Galatians 6:10 NLT)

Here’s something that I’ve learned about nudges The Devil is not going to nudge you to do something that encourages, strengthens, comforts or serves others.

If it’s good – do it … you might learn later that it was a nudge.

Let’s go back to the account of Peter’s “nudges” - in Acts

How did Peter filter the prompting/nudge? ---- The Scriptures

I know that I regularly harp you about reading God’s Word – spending time in God’s Word

One of the reasons I frequently encourage you to spend time in the Word is so that your filter is reliable

There is no more reliable way of filtering the promptings/nudges than the Word of God You follow the Word – you can’t go wrong

“The idea of a life in which the inward voice of the Spirit decides and directs everything sounds most attractive, for it seems to exalt the Spirit’s ministry and to promise the closest intimacy with God; but in practice, this quest for super-spirituality leads only to frantic bewilderment or lunacy. Yet the true way to honor the Holy Spirit as our guide is to honor the Holy Scriptures through which He guides us. J.I. Packer, Knowing God, p. 235

This week, if you will turn off some of the stimulation If you’ll draw close If you’ll cup your hand to your spiritual ear It is possible that God will “nudge” you If you sense a nudge --- Filter it

The HS usually doesn’t “nudge” people into a panic – I can’t say never but panic is not the norm If your “nudge” makes you frantic – Filter it Take time to wait and get clarity

Let me give you a quick – FILTER LIST found in one verse

Dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and p ure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8 NLT)